a P

was in his late fifties, with a shrewd, discerning gaze and a handshake that was fi

eutral, neither welcoming nor dismissive. "Mr. Sun has briefed m

r was the only thing that felt remotel

ient against the Carter family is a significant undertaking. I need to

concisely, starting with the rejection and ending with Theodore's th

tly as he absorbed the implications of the 4% stake. He knew, as I did,

. "Excuse me," I said, my voice a bit hoarse.

ing at the clock on his wall

lowing the sound of my footsteps. I found the restroom, splashed some cold water on my face, and took

l, I turned the corner and

And Cat

air crackled, thick with a

well. Kyla. I should have known you'd slither your way in here. What

aster of her craft. "Kyla, what are you doing here?" she asked, her voice la

ed to humiliate me. To show me the difference in our statio

ng blood. I ignored Gavin complete

er away," I said, my voice low and leve

her face. She looked

"You bitch-" He took a step towa

e a prob

sion. He had stepped out of his office, his ex

ind. A desperate, reckless bluff. T

ulder as if we were a team. I gave him a subtle, co

lled with a confidence I didn't feel. "

f it, letting them fill in the blank

s about to speak, to deny it, but my audacio

a comical mix of confusion and disdain. They didn't

This is the best you could do, Kyla? Couldn'

an aff

deep, calm baritone that commanded attention without raising i

ll t

the far end of the ha

tailored charcoal suit, he moved with an easy, predatory grace. His intense b

iet, unnerving assessment. And something els

aimed in unison, their faces lighting

e nod, his stride never breaking. He walked rig

k I could barely breathe. Five people

irst time, a genuine look of fear flickered in her eyes. A premonit